Sapphism

The term sapphism has been used since the 1890s,^[7] and derives from Sappho, a Greek poet whose verses included her accounts of sexual and romantic love between women.^[8] She was born on the Greek island Lesbos, which also inspired the term lesbianism.^[9][10]

Sappho's work is one of the few ancient references to sapphic love. Her poetry, significant in quality, is a rare example of a woman speaking of her love for other women in ancient history.^[11][12]

The term sapphic encompasses the experiences of lesbian, bisexual, gynephilic, plurisexual, and multiromantic women, and also women who are attracted to women but decline a label, experience a fluid sexuality, or are questioning their sexuality.^[13][14] Asexual and aromantic women who are attracted to a woman can also be sapphic.^[15][16]

Using the term more broadly, some sapphic individuals may be non-binary.^[17][18] There are also equivalent terms for relationships between men (Uranian, Achillean),^[19] between a man and a woman (duaric)^[20] and involving at least one non-binary person (diamoric or enbian).^[21]

Sapphic is also used in Lesbian literature for works involving at least one relationship between women, regardless of whether they are lesbian or not.^[22][23][24]